The Bombay Technologist

Organ-on-A-Chip

Shreya Mehta

Bachelor of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology

Krushali Powale

Bachelor of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology

Keywords: Flexible Polymer, Microfluidic Channels, Animal Testing.

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Abstract

Here we describe an Organ-on-a-Chip (OC) which is a biomimetic microsystem. These are engineered microchips that can sum up the microarchitecture and functions of living organs, such as the lung, heart, artery etc. Each individual organ-on-chip is composed of a clear flexible polymer - about the size of a computer memory stick - that contains hollow microfluidic channels lined by living human cells. Because the micro devices are translucent, they provide a window into the inner-workings of human organs without having to invade a living body. There are envisions of creating the entire human body on chips. They might be useful for high-throughput analysis and screening of cellular responses to drugs, chemicals, particulates, toxins, pathogens, or other environment stimuli relevant to pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and environmental applications. Such a creation could spell an end to animal testing which is an expensive, ineffective and lethal process. It has the potential to revolutionize the whole drug testing process.